My name is Patrick Collins. I'm a 27 year old Army veteran who is originally from Alabama. I am out of the Army now. Currently I'm enrolled at KCC. Everyone in my family, with the exception of myself, is an Alabama fan. My parents even have a Big Al statue in their front yard.

I first became a fan of UH while watching the 2001 Hawai'i-BYU game, although my favorite team at the time was still Florida State. I joined the Army in 2002 and was sent to Schofield Barracks in 2003. I was able to see my first live college football game at Aloha Stadium in 2003 with Hawai'i hosting the Rice Owls in a WAC conference game. After a few more 2003 games, I found myself talking only about UH and nothing about FSU. So, with the Bama game coming up, I had to tell my dad the news. I was worried about what he would say, so I was hesitant over the phone. My dad said, "What is it son? Just tell me." So I then proceeded to tell him that I was a Hawai'i fan. My dad then replied,"That's it? I thought you were going to tell me you got some girl pregnant out of wedlock, killed someone, or worse, that you were an Auburn fan. I don't know if I could ever talk to you again if you were an Auburn fan." I know he was joking, of course. Or was he? Anyway, we ended up making a $20 bet about who was going to win. My dad lost and never paid up. So in 2006, I purchased tickets and a Hawai'i t-shirt for the Alabama game and had my father wear a University of Hawai'i t-shirt at Bryant Denny Stadium.
With the exception of the 2004 and 2008 seasons(I was deployed), I have attended every home game since the Rice game. I also attend Women's and Men's Volleyball, Men's Basketball, Baseball, and Softball game/matches, just not everyone of them. I even volunteer with the Hawai'i Bowl.

From one former Army dude to another... welcome to our (UH) way of life!!!
From the time I first left Hawaii to go to basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey, I've had to put up with hearing others talk about how great their football and/or basketball program was at their favotire college or university. Of course, most of them didn't even know that UH existed, let alone fielded teams in the various sports they talked about.
No matter how our teams played on the field, I've always been a proud supporter. Spending 7+ years of my service time overseas only strengthened my commitment.
Now, I find myself and my family in Michigan, still trying to be as supportive as possible, given our present circumstances. One of these days, we'll be able to move either back home or closer to home... and I'll finally be able to attend games again like I did when growing up.

One of the things I learned from Ferd's article in the Football Preview is that UH has the weakest schedule in the WAC according to Phil Steele. I don't think that UH has ever missed a bowl game when it had a schedule rated below the 100th strongest in the country.

I like his prediction of 8 wins in the regular season, though with a win against Utah State that could be 9 wins. I don't think that his prediction about SMU beating UH in the Hawaii Bowl will come true--for one thing, the Armed Forces Bowl will be held at SMU's home stadium this year and there will be a push to have SMU play there.

Welcome to the blog......one of my x's was born and raised in Florence, Alabama. She is an Alabama fan to the bone. I recently purchased caps, t-shirts, and a leather jacket(enblazoned with Alabama patches on it) for her, so she could parade around here in Texas to show-off her Alabama pride to her fellow workers.
Her father and uncles were all police officers in Alabama prior to retirement(s).

So, now you find yourself in Hawaii...and for now, I find myself here in Texas; good to hear you've given yourself to the aloha spirit and rooting for our home town Warriors.
I think you'll find some very good company amoungst the Tsaiko-family there.

I like your bio & I love your taste in teams. I was a long-time FSU and Alabama fan myself. I have to say that of all the schools that UH has played at home (that I've personally experienced in the last 39 years or so), the Alabama fans are far and away the nicest and most gracious in defeat as well as victory; that, in my eyes, is true class! Alabama fans are my gold standard that opposing teams' fans should aspire to. Although it kills me that I can't attend the upcoming Tsaiko Tailgate (I started coming last year and attended every one), I look forward to meeting you at another one during what looks to be a stellar season.

"With a Wednesday deadline looming, indications abound that Brigham Young University is still doggedly pursuing a plan to go independent in football and has been in simultaneous membership negotiations with both the Western Athletic Conference and the West Coast Conference for the rest of its nonfootball sports teams."

Totally agree with you about UH-SMU. Another supporting reason is that even with the pull JJ has & even if he wanted to, if his team vies for the Conference title, it could be problematic (coming to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl).

The wackiest conference realignment rumor that I've heard so far has the WAC,MWC and Conference - USA joining together to form a Super Duper Conference with an East,Mid West and Western division.Jeez what are these dreamers smok'n ?

Come hang out with a couple of old soldiers, and one sailor at our Tsaiko t-gate on Thursday. Check SteveM's site for details, and send an operational immediate msg to me for the password. (kekoa22 at the aol dot com LZ)....carry on!

Seems like BYU still holds the keys. If they decide it's the WAC and independence, that may keep USU in the WAC. It may also help "revive" the dying WAC.

If we have the easiest schedule and we cannot beat the "top tiered teams in the conference" does the team really deserve and expect to garner the "respect" it wants so badly? If UH cannot compete and beat Nevada, BSU and FSU, fairly regularly, seems to me that we deserve to looked upon as a second tiered, mid level conference team. Cure: WIN.

Wednesday should be a big day, either way as BYU announces their intent. Whatever they decide, expect the dominos to start falling.

Watched the v-ball game. It looks like UCLA was picking on our freshman setter when she came in to serve and play back row. She need to really get it in gear as a passer or she'll not be referenced in the same breath as Ah Mow, Cincirova (sp, I'm sure is off), Kanoe and Mafua. Her play was weak, but hey, she's a freshman.

On another matter, when was the last time
Diamond Head erupted? Seriously.
An Indonesian volcano that had been dormant
for more than four hundred years erupted for the second day in a row Monday, spewing white clouds of smoke and ash more than 2,000 yards (meters) into the air. I remember Toyota officials correcting my
reference to Mt. Fuji as an "extinct" volcanoe (where they have a
test track nearby), saying there is no such thing as an extinct volcanoe
as they just are "sleeping".

Well then I guess I need to give you some positive news then: For those who don't have any plans for the Colorado game, come listen live to the game and at the same time help out the Softabll team. 9/18/2010 RWSS makeover, UH vs Colorado game will be broadcast live over the PA system while we power wash, clean, scrape, paint, fix the netting of the batting gage and other things at the stadium. If you are intrested please send me an email at pomai at nawhaine dot com.

Dopaco24...Welcome to the blog...great bio... I have to say, I was at a conference in Boston and ran into some people from Alabama....we were all talking about football related matters and when they said they were from Alabama I made the mistake of saying..."Oh....well..Roooooollll Tide." Needless to say, they were Auburn fans...MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I'll try to stop by at the Tsaikos tailgate. I have school until noon that day at KCC.

#15 Mctruck, My sister lives in Florence and attended the University of North Alabama. She was trying to get me to go to school there. I toured the campus, and it was amazing. They had 2 live lions as their mascots. After the tour, my sister picked me up to go to lunch. She asked me how the tour was, and I said, "It was nice." Then my sister, who is going to be an elementary teacher, replied to me by saying," Yes, it's the BESTEST school in Alabama!" I never went to UNA again.

#21 protector,
Yes, Alabama fans are first-class. I was on another UH website in 2006 and the forum was bombarded with Bama fans excited to see Hawai'i in Tuscaloosa. Not because they wanted to see Bama beat the crap out of us, but because they wanted to show us their "Southern Hospitality." When we lost 25-17, they were even humble winners.(At least after they were done singing "Rammer Jammer") I was invited to several tailgates. It was the most fun I had before a football game.

Happy Monday, just three more days! Congrats to the Waipio team and community for a great run!! One moment of great sportsmanship stands out ... the camera pausing a moment on the sad young man who was coping with his team's loss but vigorously clapping for the winning Japan team.

Dopaco24, thanks for sharing your story. If it is not being too nosey, did you start following Hawaii because you knew you were going to be stationed here, or was it something else? Also as others have said, thank you for your service! Your mention of Big Al in your parents' yard made me curious, and the Alabama site quotes a sports story from 1930 about how the name came about. It is fun reading, so I linked it to my name.

The WAC put an article on their website about how they demand that Fresno State and Nevada pay $5 million each and stay in the WAC for this year and next year. They are taking a strong position on one end and Fresno/Nevada are taking the position that they may not need to pay and they can leave after one season, with at most $5 million total due.

The negotiations/lawsuits to come may drag out for awhile...this might delay when UH will make its move. If UH declares independence before the payment details are settled, does UH give up its share of the money?

One interesting thing is that if you look at the WAC Code on the WAC's website, the WAC appears to state that *September 1*, not July 1 is the deadline to declare to leave the conference.

3. Withdrawal
Each member reserves the right to withdraw from the Conference by written notice given to every other member and to the Commissioner of the Conference on or before September 1 of any year, in which event the withdrawal shall be effective the following June 30. Any withdrawing member shall, however, play all approved athletics competitions scheduled with the other members in accordance with the governing contracts unless such competitions are waived by written consent of the parties affected. Any member withdrawing from the Conference will forfeit its entire share of year-end conference revenues in its final year as a member.

Saw the article on the $5 M due from FSU and Nevada. Nothing to loose. Keep it a hardball game. This may at least send BYU a message that WAC was true to wanting to welcome them back to the party. Maybe they'll come on Wednesday, and who knows, if they do maybe FSU who really does not have the money may just eat crow and stay.

I read that Nevada announced they were going to the MWC first, and then Fresno made their announcement. By waiting until Nevada announced, wouldn't that mean that Fresno won't have to pay anything? I think I remember seeing the notices posted here and Nevada's came first.

Nevada didn't sign the agreement and Karl Benson said that the WAC made a mistake in not getting their signature. I know that the WAC can argue that verbal agreement is binding but it would seem to hurt the WAC's negotiating position.

Has there been any indication of what BYU might do come Wednesday. I know there has been speculation that they might stay in the MWC. Do you think that will happen or is there news out there saying other wise. Just Wondering

Garret, re #73, I believe that what's posted on the website is outdated and the by-laws have since changed. Today's press release on the WAC website is very explicit as to the notification deadline in the by-laws, as were Benson's statements about this in his August 19th press conference.

The rules may have been changed, but this is what is on the WAC's website. The rules state that they are in effect for this year.

Just like the WAC made a mistake and didn't realize they hadn't gotten Nevada's signature, do we have complete faith in Karl Benson and his staff for getting everything updated properly? According to what the WAC has on its own website, Nevada and Fresno State appear to have not missed the WAC's deadline.

I've seen a lot of speculation that the MWC is going to give some concessions to BYU and BYU will stay in the MWC. Some Houston people appear to think that Houston will get the 12th spot and some Utah State people appear to think that they will get the 12th spot.

I'd prefer that BYU go independent, since then UH will get a long-term scheduling deal with BYU. Plus, if BYU leaves the MWC, they will probably stay at 10 teams and not add anybody. If BYU stays in the MWC, probably either Utah State will join the MWC (putting the WAC down to an unsustainable number of schools) or Houston would join the MWC (La Tech could go to C-USA and the WAC would be hurt again).

We should hear tomorrow. If BYU goes independent, UH will have a better scheduling deal and an easier time with going independent. If BYU stays in the MWC, things look tough for UH and the WAC.

1. Adding or Discontinuing a Conference Championship Sport
A member institution must notify the Commissioner by no later than July 1 if the institution intends to begin or
discontinue a Conference championship sport during the ensuing academic year.

Nevada, if all the other schools had signed and you didn't, and you were aware of BYU and the WAC plans, does this not show you conspired a plan knowing certain information and used it for your advantage thus creating financial damage to the other WAC schools. Consider the other schools as stockholders and being that this is business you will be guilty of inside information and dealing for your own benefit while creating financial losses to the stockholders, which is the remaining WAC schools.

BYU, time to move on with your plans because since the creation of the MWC your school's stock has not grown like those of other schools that leads their respective conference. What more growth will it bring by staying put? Take the risk and charter into waters that many are afraid to do today. A new chapter will unfold defining the future of college sports due to your plan and action taken.

Be a fast healer Abe M. and I don't think you are 185 pounds like the paper reports--aloha--sj

Punahou School graduate Abe Markowitz, the backup center for USC, will miss Thursday’s season-opening football game against the University of Hawai‘i due to a broken right foot, Trojans’ head coach Lane Kiffin told the Star-Advertiser today.
Markowitz, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound sophomore, was expected to see duty at center and guard until suffering the injury in Sunday’s practice.
“Unfortunately, he is going to have to have surgery and will probably miss the trip,” Kiffin said. “It just happend last night.”
Read more: http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/101824568.html#ixzz0y8DRgw4q

I have been told by a lawyer from Salt Lake City that BYU is very likely to go independent in football at least. And it is also likely that their other sports teams will leave the MWC as well. BYU is also refusing to pay any part of the fees that Nevada and Fresno may need to pay, since it was a fee directed at injuring them and interfering with their ability to contract freely with the WAC and further it was an inducement for Nevada and Fresno to breach their contracts with the WAC or to commit a fraud. Boise will also be sued for tortious interference with contract because of their role in getting Fresno and Nevada to leave.

BYU and the WAC are going to bring legal pressure on Nevada, Fresno, and Boise to force them to rethink their decision to leave the WAC.

USC's cheerleaders should arrive accordingly if we have enough open space for Botox appointments on Wednesday evening equipped with Wi-Fi for them to use their Twitter accounts on their various "I" devices.

Benson said that by leaving before 2012, Fresno State and Nevada would cost each of the remaining WAC schools—Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Utah State—$2 million or more

Altho BYU made us suffer by NOT accetping UH into the MWC, I hope it is true that they will stick to their plan, as good Mormons should, and make the call on 8/31 or 9/1/2010 to go independent for football and all other sports coming to the WAC.

With this, how will this change the landscape of the WAC and MWC? If legal action is pursued, will Fresno and Nevada come back to the WAC? What will Boise St do if they are named co-plaintiffs in the civil action? Learned a long time ago that cases are settled when the prospects of a protracted law suit and hgih legal fees are a certainty; even if plaintiff(s) may not prevail in a jury trial.

I'm kinda thinking along the lines on Manoa. BYU holds the keys. If they go independent (Football) as some have speculated and take their other sports to the WAC, and the WAC sues the others to the point where jumping may be not a done deal until the matter is settled (may be more years than they expected), the loss of additional perceived revenue (aside from the possibility of paying the $5M) due to the delay, may have them thinking about their choice. I point to FSU as they would still have the games with BYU so they would gain some if they stayed and the CA schools are pretty broke at the moment for lawsuits or fines that could be avoided.

If BYU goes WAC and FSU has a change of heart, it may tip UNLV, SDSU and possibly UTEP (with LaTEch swap) to go WAC. At that point, things could get interesting.

your #98 - is the MWC asking the members to cough up the $10,000,000 for Fresno and Nevada?

geez, I thought the MWC would take it out of their conference "kitty". Thompson should have taken the Nevada survey of 57% of fans will not contribute to the exit fee as an indication that trouble lies ahead.

Beside getting ready for USC, we are on pins and needles for the BYU announcement.

"welpp..kant goo to hawaii but i guess itz like that somtimes..but
ill be back nextt week..nd when i get back im bout to BANGG on weak
virginia..aha but until thenn Fight On trojans nd bring us back that
"W"..."

Good lord. Nice to see that expensive USC education going towards something right?

I don't know how credible this source is, but this is a logical thing for C-USA to do. C-USA learned from the MWC's TV deal and allows its teams to broadcast any game not picked up by ESPN or CBS CS...so that would satisfy BYU's need for TV rights. C-USA has 3x the TV money than the WAC, even before they got a 15% raise on the CBS CS TV deal. Their ESPN TV deal is up for renewal next year and ESPN would probably give them a big TV increase with those teams.

Sources tell me CUSA to expand, Adding BYU, USU, TCU and New Mexico as part of the western division of a 16 team CUSA

There are information out there that is pro UH. Bring them into the website instead of stories that have negative traits to UH's interest and don't know if the source is credible.

Be aware of those that looks like a fan, talks like a fan, smells like a fan and writes about the negatives more than the positives. No need to mention names cause he is one popular person on this website. As I stated before more positive news might manifest to those ends so why not talk more positive than negatives of UH's position. Don't poison the rest of the optimistic and positive type of minds on this website. One can expect the worse but hope for the best.

Hi Garret, I wouldn't know it was a joke either until I went to his twitter page to follow up.

Thought I might also mention that Jared Eborn's tweets on Twitter (@DesNewsEborn) mentions that Karl Benson is going by the WAC's By Laws and not the WAC Code. Jared Eborn covers Utah State for the Deseret News.

I now have a copy of the WAC Bylaws in front of me. July 1 is clearly spelled out and was updated in 2006. The WAC Bylaw states: "Section 7: Withdrawal. Any Member may withdraw from the Conference by filing with each of the other Members..." Cont: "... and with the Commissioner of the Conference, on or before July 1 of any year, an official notice of withdrawal, in which event...Cont: "...the withdrawal shall be effective the following June 30..."

When what is published is positive, I am happy to post that. When what is published in negative, I post 10% of what I find to make sure that the information is passed along. I have *not* posted even 5% of the negative things I've seen published about Colt, Samson, David Veikune, etc., and I've posted less than 5% of the negative articles I've seen about the current Warrior team. I post 100% of the positive articles I find.

If we decide to stick our heads in the sand and only talk about the positive, there isn't much room for discussion here. Certain powers-that-be in Hawaii were not even aware of the negative implications of conference realignment and UH's dangerous situation until some of us started to post about it and talk with them.

By the way, if C-USA takes BYU, TCU, New Mexico, and Utah State, that could actually be *good* for UH...the MWC would need to invite UH and 1-2 other teams to fill the holes. UH would then be in a conference with SDSU, UNLV, BSU, Fresno State, Nevada, Wyoming, Air Force and 1-2 other current WAC teams (SJSU, NMSU, or Idaho--La Tech would not make sense with TCU gone). That is a FAR better situation than UH is in now...basically UH would trade the bottom of the WAC for SDSU, UNLV, Air Force, and Wyoming.

Do you still think that the thing I posted was negative towards UH? I am a little sad that the C-USA rumor is not true. Because UH needs something big to happen to the MWC to be in a much better position.

If you think that I'm not a UH fan you could not be more wrong. And you have no idea what I am *not* posting. Maybe I should just stop posting links to anything...that is the only way I could avoid posting negative articles.

After another solid preseason performance Friday night, Alama-Francis shared first-team reps with rookie Koa Misi at strongside outside linebacker in Sunday's practice. Misi still projects as the starter opposite Cameron Wake, but Alama-Francis has been a revelation.

The other interesting name in the article is Koa Misi.

I asked Don Weir and Alvin Katahara if they could find the contact information for Koa Misi's father, Sione who played for UH, to send him a "Congratulations" when his son was drafted in the second round by Miami. Helps to keep in touch with the alumni. I don't think they've found the contact information.

These are remarkable statistics. Even though heavy drinking is associated with higher risk for cirrhosis and several types of cancer (particularly cancers in the mouth and esophagus), heavy drinkers are less likely to die than people who have never drunk. One important reason is that alcohol lubricates so many social interactions, and social interactions are vital for maintaining mental and physical health. As I pointed out last year, nondrinkers show greater signs of depression than those who allow themselves to join the party.

I'm not "a lawyer from Salt Lake City", but BYU's position makes sense. The MWC's move was designed to force BYU to stay put by killing all possible options. Why would/should BYU ever approve the use of MWC conference funds for that purpose?

As for the tortious interference claim, I actually think that there are legitimate tortious interference with contract claims and breach of fiduciary duty claims against Nevada and/or FSU, not Boise. It is fundamental that you cannot use fiduciary information for personal benefit as it appears both Nevada and FSU did.

I also think that there is a good tortious interference with business relationships claim against the MWC. Thompson stated that the MWC was done with expansion after Boise and weren't planning to revisit the issue for a couple more years or something like that.

Suddenly, the BYU story gets out and the MWC has offers to USU, Nevada AND FSU, without ANY offers to CUSA schools. Moreover, the MWC apparently offered to help pay for any WAC exit penalties against the defectors. What's up with that? If it looks and sounds and feels like a move designed to kill a competitor, then that's probably what it is.

Just keep on doing what you do best. You are a wealth of valuable information, good and bad. Present the information you find from your sources and give your analysis. Let us decide what to accept and learn or just disregard. For me, I've learned a heck of a lot from your posts.

On the other hand you can't use a contract to force people to do something they don't want to do. The law actually recognizes breach of contract as a legitimate response to a situation. Actual performance of contractual obligations is generally not enforced. It's just that the party breaching the contract will have to pay damages.

In other words I doubt we can force Nevada and FSU to be WAC members next year. All we can do is seek damages for their breach of the contract. And if that breach means that Hawaii, USU, SJSU, LaTech, Idaho and NMSU cannot field teams next year, how much are the damages?

Manoa wrote: I spoke to a lawyer in Salt Lake City and he indicates that BYU is still going all out to leave the MWC to go independent in football. He feels there is no way the Mountain West can make it up to BYU at this point. Further, the deal will pay BYU as much as 10X as much money as they would have gotten from the MWC.

What is interesting is that BYU is preparing legal action against Nevada, Fresno, and Boise for tortious interference with contract, and fraud in connection with their interference in BYU's arrrangmeent with the WAC, and the fraudulent actions of Fresno and Nevada which BYU relied upon in the action they took which has disrupted the WAC which was to provide a football schedule and some games, as well as a home for their non football sports. In combination with the WAC's legal action, the idea is to force all three teams to withdraw from any arrangement with the MWC and return to the WAC. Where it goes from there would be itneresting.By the way, BYU's lawsuit would not be limited to $5 Million, but to their damages plus punitive damages for the tort of interence and for fraud. The idea is not the money, but the leverage to force all three teams back to the WAC.

Dave McElroy, a business lawyer with Reno firm Burton, Bartlett & Glogovac, read both the resolution, first reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, and the WAC Bylaws and said he believes the WAC might have a case in regards to enforcing the June 30 deadline, but the resolution could have some holes in it.

“What (the bylaws) don’t talk about is what the consequences of a breach are,” McElroy said, referring to the termination date.

McElroy said it’s possible the WAC could take the case to court and seek specific performance of the bylaw provision for withdrawal, which would force Nevada to play in the WAC in 2011-12. He said such a remedy is relatively rare, and that the courts are more likely to find a monetary remedy adequate.

“Generally, courts don’t like to do that,” he said of a possible specific performance order.

McElroy added that Benson’s comment about firm numbers — that it could cost each WAC school $2 million or more — would be further ammunition for the court to limit the WAC to a monetary remedy rather than specific performance.

He also talks of the resolution. Very curious how this all will unfold.

As for the resolution, McElroy said there were two possible sticking points that could make the $5 million penalty unenforceable.

One, the resolution is contingent on BYU joining the WAC, and as of Monday the Cougars had not yet announced their decision. They have until Wednesday to inform their current conference, the Mountain West, of their intentions.

Media reports have indicated BYU is still more than likely going to go independent in football and join either the WAC or the West Coast Conference for all other sports.

McElroy said if BYU does not join the WAC, the $5 million penalty is likely unenforceable. And even if BYU did join the WAC, it would have to agree to the same five-year window to satisfy the contingency in the resolution.

“That’s the primary issue I have with this whole thing,” he said.

He said the resolution appeared to be hastily written, and called the resolution “inconsistent” with the WAC Bylaws. He also said it was difficult to determine if proper notice was given, or if the resolution could properly act as an amendment to the bylaws.

I dunno. Paragraph 9 of the 8/13 Resolution indicates that if the WAC fails to enter into a contract with BYU by September 1st, then the resolution is terminated. Technically, Fresno State and Nevada bolted before such termination, i.e., while the Resolution rmained in effect. Such an argument can be made, anyway.

Garret,
It sure can be confusing when the WAC Code online is not updated to reflect any amendments made to the WAC ByLaws. That July 1 rule was changed in 2006!
Just wanted to encourage you to please continue your posts: on topic, off topic, positive and negative. I do look forward to reading the info you share here on this blog. I'm an info junkie, so just keep it coming!

As for the flurry of posts about legal remedies, very interesting reading. Two things stand out:

First, if the WAC wants to post its bylaws and such on its website, well and good. However, it is critical that these items be kept up to date. (IANAL, but I don't think the departing schools can point to the website as justification for their stances; however the messiness needlessly muddies things.) Second, who the heck* wrote that solidarity pledge/contract, and why the heck was it not vetted more thoroughly. It's more porous than my coffee filter. (*=I don't mean heck)

All certainly true, but I don't take that view myself. I will stay the more conventional view. But I certainly support your right to say it. Cool anyway. Bob Perry, Work New York, 65 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007

The Salt Lake Tribune says that BYU will go independent for football and place their non-football teams in the *WCC*. I hope that JD gets BYU to sign a 10-year deal right away if BYU makes the announcement tomorrow.

As the window further closes, it increasingly appears the Western Athletic Conference is not in Brigham Young University’s plans as school officials sort out their options for going independent in football and placing BYU’s other sports in another league.

Sources in Logan familiar with the situation told The Tribune Monday it appeared the Cougars were now looking elsewhere for a nonfootball affiliation.

That could mean the West Coast Conference — an eight-school league composed of private, faith-based institutions — is now BYU’s destination for its other sports. Utah State, which as of two weeks ago was closely tied to BYU’s plans, expects details about BYU’s intentions of becoming an independent in football to be announced today.

BYU going independent could make it easier for UH to fill a football schedule as an independent. It would be nice if Air Force went independent also and agreed to play UH every November if UH was an independent...

The Valley Christian Warriors have some interesting prospects this year, but the one that I'm most interested in following is Justin Satele. He's apparently good enough for BSU and SJSU to offer, but I'm not sure if UH has scholarships available for centers this year.

Leading the charge on offense will be a trio of players who earned all-WCAL honors last fall. Junior running back Byron Marshall (5-10, 190), senior quarterback Zach Vaiana (5-11, 195) and senior center Justin Satele (6-1, 275) all are third-year varsity players and returning starters.

Satele, an all-league second team selection last season, will anchor the line at center. Satele, who has been offered scholarships by Boise State and San Jose State University, is a cousin of NFL player Samson Satele, a center for the Oakland Raiders.

What ever happens UH will probably be a day late and a dollar short again.I don't see any signs of them having a plan, they will be happy and content is a watered down WAC spinning their wheels until the end of time.

Cool! But you should check your comment queue more frequently. You seem to be getting hit some spam comments. I had exactly the same problem myself. So now I go over everything with extra care. Bob Perry, Work New York, 65 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007

Give us a "G"...
Give us an "A"...
Give us a "R"...
Give us another "R"...
Give us an "E"...
Give us a "T"...
Give us "Garret"!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(and Gigi!!!!!!!!!!!!)
You are the meat and potatoes of this blog...

Slugger,
I was asked to pass this message on.
Your friend could not find any inforamation on the father.
As you know the UH databases have huge holes in them.

There are some schools that have the data all the way to the grandparents. This allows them to fundraise for school projects that involve the grandchildren. When looked into these programs were found to be quite successful

Thanks for relaying the info. It's too bad we don't have all of our alumni data. It's really a matter of trying to keep in contact with alumni after they've graduated, or if they leave the University. My college alma mater has kept in touch with me through moves in 4 states. Because of that, they've been recipients of donations from me.

I hope the UH Alumni Association is doing a better job. My son used to receive UoO magazines even before he graduated, keeping him (& the parents) informed about what the University was doing, what some of the students were researching or writing about. It gives you an idea of what your tuition dollars are going for besides your education. It builds pride in the institution, which then translates to monetary support.

Disney and TWC seem to have averted what would have been the year's biggest TV carriage dispute. With their contract expiring Thursday morning right after midnight, the companies have agreed on the framework of a new deal and cooled off what had been a heated public relations battle.

Disney's ESPN is not only must-have content, but it's by far the most expensive network, costing distributors $4.40 per subscriber per month this year, up from $3.30 in 2006, with only the new ESPN 3D coming close at an estimated $2.55, according to SNL Kagan estimates.

The Disney Channel also makes the top five channels, costing distributors 91 cents as No. 4, and Disney is believed to have pushed for a big increase. Disney is believed to have been pushing TWC for 5 percent-10 percent price increases across its networks, in line with recent years' average programing expense growth of cable and satellite TV operators.

While BYU is a faith-based institution like the WCC schools, isn't one of the WCC drawbacks the limited number of sports they play? I seem to recall that coming up when UH options were being brainstormed. If that is an issue, WCC may not actually be in play for BYU.

If BYU goes to the WCC for non-football sports, that still leaves the WAC in a very difficult pickle with few options. What the WAC needs is the backing of both BYU and ESPN. These 2 towers of power was my suggestion to Karl Benson to bring back Nevada, Fresno St, and Boise and later to add UNLV and San Diego St. My out-of-the-box recommendation was for the WAC to negotiate an ESPN deal for Boise in which Boise gets 80-90% of the deal with the balance going to the other schools. The other WAC schools would work a separate group deal and split the revenue evenly.

ESPN is the big gun. Benson really needs to leverage that option for a successful solution. It's the one game changer for the WAC. ESPN has the monetary motivation for the WAC to win over the MWC and the rival sports network. I hope Benson at least tried to get their backing. Actually, this should've been done way before Boise was even offered membership. Today, it may be too little too late. Sniff, sniff.

#171 SteveM, thanks for the welcome back. Too bad UH not coming to play again this year at Qwest, but still get the UW game at Husky Stadium next year to look forward to. Way lots more Hawaii connections to UW compared to WSU. I'll bet every Tsaiko get at least one cousin who attended/attending UW...

ESPN could've been the big gun for the WAC. Whatever the case, we, the University of Hawaii, need ESPN as our big gun. Look what they've done for us so far: They've given us the Hawaii Bowl; we have a new basketball tournament that will eventually rival the Maui one. This is why we've got to get the run and shoot torching everyone again. Let's load this weapon and use it!

I can attest to what a big Hawaii fan dopaco24 is. Met him in 2005 at a tailgate and have been tailgating with him ever since. Great parents too. Tailgated with them in Tuscaloosa. His father really did wear Warrior green to the Alabama game. Also tailgated with his parents at Florida in 2008 when dopaco24 was deployed. It was great when chawan_cut posted photos of the tailgate on the internet. dopaco24 got to see his parents at the tailgate when he was on the phone with them. It's great that dopaco24 has completed his tours of duty which included two deployments and is now at KCC. Looking forward to seeing him and his friends on Thursday.

seattlezz:
August 30th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
#171 SteveM, thanks for the welcome back. Too bad UH not coming to play again this year at Qwest, but still get the UW game at Husky Stadium next year to look forward to. Way lots more Hawaii connections to UW compared to WSU. I'll bet every Tsaiko get at least one cousin who attended/attending UW...

Hmmm... my sister got her B.S in Med. Tech at UW after her B.A at Whitman. She married and lives there today. Was just there for her daughter's wedding and another cruise to Alaska last month. If you cruise, please send me an email at: stevem.hnl (at)gmail.com

As I had mentioned before you are a very intelligent person. Did not mention your name and you figured it out. I do acknowledge that both sides of the issues need to be brought to the forefront. It was in my view that UH was getting more negative comments about the situation involving the WAC conference and how UH is being viewed. As for what you explained I do appreciate what you pointed out to me.

One thing could you please add constructive suggestion on a negative view being planted on UH so people in the position that can do something about it, will. They can use your expertise. I stand corrected and sincerely apologize for the insinuation and respectfully will continue to read your comments. To be honest I read mostly your comments.

I look for a very good game on Thursday. If our o line can give our qb 3-4 sec, it will be warrior ball. The d line has a very good chance of making life miserable because in all probability USC will have less than 10 healthy o linemen for this game. We will know if our team can play by the end of the 1st qtr, but this has been a very good week for Hawaii, and hopefully it carries through for our Warriors.

As the window further closes, it increasingly appears the Western Athletic Conference is not in Brigham Young University’s plans ...
Sources in Logan familiar with the situation told The Tribune on Monday it appeared the Cougars were now looking elsewhere for a nonfootball affiliation.
That could mean the West Coast Conference ...

Too many hats on too many heads, but two out of three major projects are trucking along just fine. Will be working on the third over the next couple of days - that's the one which will have a major impact on what this blog is all aboutl.

The number of PLANT A NATIVE TREE Campaign fundraisers has expanded to three - Murphy's on Tuesday, September 7; Cha Cha Cha Salsaria in Hawaii Kai on Tuesday, September 14; Pali Lanes in Kailua on Sunday, September 19. I'm going out to Aiea tomorrow to arrange for a fourth event - now all I need is to work on three or four more - Haleiwa, Kapolei, Mililani or Wahiawa, and another in the urban core. Your suggestions for a good place to hold an event would be most muchly appreciated.

The $$$$ goal is challenging, but that's what life is all about. Will be updating the website tomorrow; however, if you want to see what's happening so far, just click on my name.

BEFORE I FORGET!!! Don't forget to bring your HI-5 cans & bottles from home. We'll be handling the recycling with the proceeds for the seven games going as follows:

I can't see BYU joining the WCC for all other sports, BYU has gymnastics, softball, men and women swimming, men and women track, and men's volleyball that the WCC schools don't participate in, and the WCC offer rowing and men soccer that is not on BYU program.

If BYU decides not to affiliate itself with the WAC, then Benson's threat to Fresno and Nevada to give the WAC $5 million each or get sued will be egg on his face. I thought Benson would have made that statement only if he knew BYU was going to side with the WAC.

Whitey, Iowa State's arena floor was under water when the river overflowed, the vb team is using Ames HS gym for the season. Never, ever, build anything next to a river with a sunken floor to boot. There must be a levee next to the arena which breeched. Too bad, now alumnae like you got to send in the big bucks.

Ralph, not going send them any money cause I sent them the first time it got flooded a few years back. I don't know what they were thinking, but that used to be our intramural and research farm fields in the river bottom. Somehow, they forgot that the river's name, Skunk River. Besides they no need money as their alumnis and frriends have committed over 700 million in their latest fund raising. UH could use a lesson on how important your alumnis are and to make sure you have an alumni office that knows what it is doing. But, UH never did learn and won't learn till they learn that to make money, you got to have VISION. Nuff already.

Tomorrow the NFL cuts down to 75 players, and on Sept. 4 they are down to 53. If the NFL can manage with 53 players then colleges should reduce their rosters and scholarships to save money. With a reduction in fb scholarships the university can reduce the women quotient, and maybe a men's program. But the NCAA must adjust the number of teams a university needs to field to qualify for FBS status.

UH will be taking players that they may not use on the road trip, players like Bright and Luna who they want to red shirt but may be pressed into service if needed. Save the kala, keep them home, if needed, fly them out for the Colorado game if we lose too many players in the Army game.

Ralph, one of my classmates donated a "chair" to ISU School of Jounalism. I really don't know the value of the "chair", but I think it is over $250,000. The retired Boeing CEO donated money to run the men's swimming program for 3 years before they folded. Somehow, UH has alumnis in high position, but they have no clue as to how to have them donate big time money to UH. Also big time corporation make money available to ISU. If I was to rate the alumni giving program for UH, I would rate them about a manini level.

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